Regular manicures don’t have to be a pricey treat when done yourself.

Here are step-by-step directions to get you started along with a collection of tricks at the bottom of the page.

• Remove old polish using remover.
• Rest fingers in a dish of warm soapy water for about 10 minutes. For a gentle recipe, see below.
• Use a soft brush and clean under fingernails.
• Massage hands and cuticles with a favorite moisturizer.
• Push back cuticles with a cotton tipped stick.
• File fingernails into shape, keeping them all the same length.
• Finish off with a favorite color.

Hand Soak:

1/4 cup honey
2 TBS liquid hand soap
1 TBS olive oil

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients well and store in an airtight container. Add half of mixture to a small bowl then add warm water, stirring until well mixed. Soak hands.
• Makes enough for two treatments.

Cuticle Softener:

1 tsp Olive Oil or Jojoba Oil
1 tsp Vitamin E (oil)

Directions:

• Mix together then gently massage into cuticles.

Whitening Treatment:

1 TBS Hydrogen Peroxide
1 cup warm water

Directions:

• Dip fingers in mixture for 15 minutes two times a week until nails are white and then once a week to maintain.

First Published: February 9, 2007, moved here for better organization

Kate sent this in wondering if it was true, it’s an old clipping she found in her aunt’s binder:

Just pick a favorite drink and stir in Knox Gelatine

Brittle fingernails? Correct them the one way published medical research proved effective . . .

Drink one envelope of Knox Gelatine each day in fruit or vegetable juice, bouillon or water.

Published clinical studies show how with this Knox Drink at least 7 out of 10 women restored brittle nails to normal condition within 90 days.

I have notes that say eating lots of Jello helps or drinking Knox daily will help, but never posted that here on Tipnut after I did a bit of research and found this on Wikipedia ^[1]:

For decades, gelatin has been touted as a good source of protein. It has also been said to strengthen nails and hair. However, there is little scientific evidence to support such an assertion, one which may be traced back to Knox’s revolutionary marketing techniques of the 1890s, when it was advertised that gelatin contains protein and that lack of protein causes dry, deformed nails. In fact, the human body itself produces abundant amounts of the proteins found in gelatin. Furthermore, dry nails are usually due to a lack of moisture, not protein.

So it looks like the answer to the question is: Nope, gelatin does not help them grow or grow stronger/healthier.

lostbuttonstudio.blogspot.com

Honey Cuticle Cream ^[2]: Made with beeswax, apricot kernel oil, honey and then poured into an altoids tin or other suitable container.

Toothpaste Trick ^[3]: Yellowing a problem? Try scrubbing with whitening toothpaste and a brush.

shape.com

wikihow.com

Quick Dry ^[4]: Advises to keep hands submerged in ice water for 3 minutes. Neat to know!

Removing Polish ^[5]: In 5 minutes or less! A step-by-step tutorial.

gingerbreadmanne.blogspot.ca

clairegoesgreen.blogspot.ca

Tea Bag Repair ^[6]: Broken tip? Here’s how to fix that up with a tea bag.

Smudge Proof ^[7]: Lightly mist a fresh coat with cooking spray.

realsimple.com

popcosmo.com

Paper Hole Reinforcements ^[8]: Use these to achieve a perfect french manicure.

Clever Technique ^[9]: A clever way to do artistic designs.

ohsoprettythediaries.com

soulsneverwrinkle.net

Whitening Soak ^[10]: Here’s another recipe similar to the one above, this one uses baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

Clean Up In 6 Easy Steps ^[11]: A technique using a small paint brush and acetone.

lacquerized.com

kaylashevonne.com

Affordable Wipes ^[12]: Make DIY wipes by cutting felt into squares (cheap!).

Moisturizing Remover ^[13]: Here’s a recipe using acetone and glycerin.

loodieloodieloodie.blogspot.ca

nevertoomuchglitter.wordpress.com

Custom Colors ^[14]: Here’s how to mix colors using powdered eyeshadow and clear polish.

Professional Secrets ^[15]: Here’s a tutorial showing how to give yourself a professional looking manicure.

2busybrunettes.com

ericaprimpandpolish.blogspot.ca

Foil Trick ^[16]: Each finger is covered with soaked cotton ball then wrapped in foil.

Peel Off Base Coat Easily ^[17]: Here’s a nifty trick using Elmer’s School Glue.

wackylaki.blogspot.ca